Senior GNC Engineer II- Mission Formulation Verified today
Senior GNC Engineer II - Mission Formulation
Based in Long Beach, CA or Littleton, CO, you will be responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design, modeling, analyses, and testing for Rocket Lab launches and missions. You'll be an integral part of Rocket Lab's Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team, working closely with Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life.
As part of the Mission Formulation team, you will conduct trade studies, preliminary and final mission analyses, and develop detailed designs for Rocket Lab's launch programs. This team is primarily responsible for formulating and implementing launches and missions for classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles.
What You'll Do
- Serve as GNC contact to Business Development for proposals and mission definition
- Develop launch and mission operational concepts
- Design and analyze orbital and suborbital trajectories
- Work with external stakeholders and customers on mission-specific requirements engineering
- Document GNC solutions and participate in design reviews with customers
- Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing to verify trajectories, GNC, and flight code performance
- Conduct Monte Carlo simulation analyses to define and verify launch and mission operations
- Develop and support release of flight code for pre-launch ground testing, launch, and mission operations
- Conduct flight safety analyses prior to launch and provide day-of-launch support
- Verify readiness of AFTS (Automated Flight Termination System) hardware and software
- Develop tools and processes for automating GNC modeling and analysis tasks
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering
- 8+ years working experience in an engineering or analytical role
- Proven experience developing real-time control and/or estimation algorithms in autonomous vehicles, preferably launch vehicles
Preferred Qualifications
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation
- Experience with git version control
- 3+ years' experience in modeling, simulation and/or control of dynamics systems, particularly rigid bodies
- 3+ years' experience with Python development
- 3+ years' experience with data analysis using MATLAB and/or SciPy
- Experience developing in C/C++
- Experience with POST, ASTOS, TAOS or similar mission analysis, trajectory optimization, vehicle design and simulation tools
- Strong communication skills and ability to build working relationships
- Creative, analytical problem-solving ability
- Ability to work independently and plan workflow to meet high-level tasks
Compensation and Benefits
Base Pay Range (CA Only): $162,000 - $216,000 USD
You will receive company stock as part of your total compensation package. Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock, medical plans (HMO, PPO, and zero cost HDHP with HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and various other employee discounts.
US Person Requirement
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Working Conditions
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.